Drink the Bottles

In May of 2025, Middle West Spirits completed their acquisition of the Old Elk brand.  For sometime prior to that, we were struggling to see much inventory on shelves locally, knowing that some BIG things were likely on the horizon.  And, boy oh boy... we've got some really cool stuff to share!  We tasted these from media samples (not pictured). 10-Year Old Wheated Bourbon This straight wheated bourbon whiskey has a mash bill of corn (51%), wheat (46%) and barley (3%).  Mouth-watering from the first aromas to the warm and satisfying finish.  Vanilla bean, sugary caramel and toasty wheat fill the senses.  The same carries over to the palate with the addition of barn wood, milk chocolate chips and hints of red fruits.   ABV:  52.5% (105 proof) Suggested retail price:  $69.99 Drink The Bottles score:  94/100 10-Year Old Straight Wheat Whiskey This one a super fun to tasted because it is so different than much of what we have tasted rec...

  There are plenty of reasons to celebrate white wine. Dry Creek Vineyard gives us two particularly good ones. There are days when a glass of white wine is exactly what the occasion calls for. Maybe it's a warm afternoon on the patio. Maybe dinner is something fresh off the grill. Maybe you're putting together a cheese board and looking for something that won't overpower everything on it. Or maybe, as is the case today, it's simply National White Wine Day .   Whatever the reason, we're happy to have an excuse to open a couple of bottles. For this year's celebration, we turned to a California winery with more than five decades of experience making white wine: Dry Creek Vineyard . Founded in 1972 in Sonoma County's Dry Creek Valley, the family-owned winery has played an important role in the history of the region—and particularly in the story of Sauvignon Blanc. We recently opened two of its 2025 releases: the 2025 Sauvignon Blanc, Dry Creek Valley , and the 2...

  There are certain bottles that come with a reputation before you ever pour them.   Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey is one of those bottles. Mention Skrewball at a party and there's a pretty good chance someone will immediately think of a shot. The distinctive bottle has become almost synonymous with the sweet, nutty whiskey that helped make peanut butter whiskey a recognizable category.  And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. But here's the thing: Skrewball is capable of doing considerably more than occupying a shot glass. After spending some time looking at the whiskey from a cocktail perspective, we think it's time to reconsider what this unconventional spirit can bring to the bar.  Because once you stop thinking of Skrewball as the peanut butter whiskey you take shots of and start thinking of it as a cocktail ingredient, things get considerably more interesting. A Peanut Butter Whiskey That Started With a Cocktail Skrewball's story is almost...

When the Blend Becomes Greater Than the Barrels In today's bourbon landscape, it seems like every new brand is chasing the next limited release. Silverthorn Reserve has taken a different approach. Rather than focusing on volume or flashy marketing, the company has built its identity around something that often gets overlooked—the art of blending. Founded by Drew Thorn after helping build Sagamore Spirit into a nationally recognized whiskey brand, Silverthorn Reserve is intentionally small. Every release is produced from just a handful of carefully selected barrels, allowing the team to prioritize flavor over scale. Transparency is equally important. Each bottle details exactly what went into the blend, from the originating states to the mash bills and blending percentages, giving whiskey enthusiasts a rare level of insight into what they're drinking. The Silverthorn Reserve 10-Year Blender's Art Bourbon is an excellent example of that philosophy in action. Rather than relyi...

  Nori's Story Umami Sauce: The Condiment We Didn't Know We Needed Every now and then we come across a product that completely changes the way we think about an everyday meal. Nori's Story Umami Sauce did exactly that. If you've spent any time in the kitchen, you've probably heard the word umami tossed around. Often referred to as the "fifth taste," umami delivers that rich, savory flavor that makes foods more satisfying and memorable. While many ingredients naturally contain umami, finding a sauce that brings those flavors together in a balanced, versatile way isn't always easy. That's where Nori's Story comes in. A Sauce With a Story Before we even opened the bottle, one detail immediately caught our attention. Printed right on the label is a message from the company's founder: "If you don't love this sauce, I'll send you a personal apology video." That's not the kind of promise you see every day.  It's bold, a...

  An Evening with Dave Specter and the Story Behind One of Oregon's Most Personal Winery Experiences One of the best parts of what we do at Drink The Bottles is connecting with the people behind the wines. While nothing quite replaces standing in a vineyard with a glass in hand, virtual tastings have become one of our favorite ways to discover exceptional wineries from across the country. What began as a necessity during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into something much more. Today, virtual tastings allow wine lovers to connect directly with winery owners and winemakers from the comfort of their own homes, often creating conversations that are every bit as personal as an in-person visit. There is something special about gathering friends around the table, opening the same bottles, and sharing an evening with the person who crafted them. That was exactly our experience during a recent one-hour virtual tasting with Bells Up Winery co-owner and winemaker Dave Specter. By the time...